The Ford Maverick vs. the Hyundai Santa Cruz

Large pickup trucks like the F-150 and Silverado aren’t the only options on the road anymore. With newcomers like the Ford Maverick and Hyundai Santa Cruz hitting the scene, drivers have more options for smaller yet capable vehicles. Anyone looking to get into the compact truck game is certainly considering the Maverick and Santa Cruz.

Both of these tiny pickup trucks are built much like modern crossovers and utilize unibody frames, front-wheel drive, and short beds. Even with their many similarities, Hyundai and Ford’s compact pickups were designed with different types of drivers in mind. Their differences are identical and divide shoppers into two groups.

How do you know which truck is for you? Let’s take a deeper look and see.

When Tires Hit The Road

Both the Ford Maverick and Hyundai Santa Cruz provide handling that feels more like what you get in a car or crossover. Hyundai throws in an optional 2.5-liter turbocharged engine that helps this track stand out. The Santa Cruz delivers 277 horsepower and 311, which feels like a lot when compared to the Maverick’s 250 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque.

Drivers notice that the Santa Cruz feels a bit quicker off of the line. Its wider stance also helps provide superior handling.

Of course, if you stick to standard powertrains, there’s a different story being told. The Santa Cruz’s entry-level powertrain is a gas-powered engine that offers 191 horsepower and 23 mpg combined. The Maverick comes with a hybrid engine at the entry-level that also created 191 hp but delivers a solid 37 mpg combined.

Drive Where You Dwell

Where these two trucks really differ is in how they feel. The Santa Cruz feels like an SUV with a truck bed attached. It’s perfect for drivers who work and play in urban areas. The truck has a classy and attractive look to it.

The Ford Maverick, on the other hand, tries to be more of a truck. People who want to take their truck camping, spend time off-road, and don’t mind getting dirty might lean towards the Maverick.

That’s not to say that both trucks don’t come together in various areas. Both have solid towing capabilities. The Santa Cruz can handle 5,000 pounds, and the Maverick maxes out at 4,000 pounds.

Other Considerations

It wouldn’t seem fair to compare the Ford Maverick vs. the Hyundai Santa Cruz without hitting the price. The Maverick is definitely the more affordable truck. It starts with an MSRP of $21,490 and tops out at around $38,000. The Santa Cruz starts at a minimum of $37,075 and tops out at around $41,000.

What the cost doesn’t show is the value that comes with each truck. The Santa Cruz has more standard features, driver-assist systems, and tech options. Throw in the higher power and better handling, and it ends up being worth the extra costs. Of course, someone who needs an affordable truck to get jobs done around the house is happy with the Maverick.

The best way to tell if one truck is better for you than the other is to stop by a local dealer and give them each a try. The good news is that you won’t be disappointed either way.